Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Part 1
RADIO SHOW: The story of how Mohomet (Matthew) Dawoud broke into millions of people's wallets.
Scene 1
SOUNDS OF THE NIGHT WITH CRICKETS PLAY PEOPLE SHOUTING IN THE BACKGROUND.
NARRATION: It was the dead of night on that day when it all came crashing down on Matthew Dawoud. Years of work on his scheme were collapsing before his eyes. He had come to America over 13 years ago and now the rest of his time may be in jail.
NARRATION CUTS OUT AND SLOWLY THE SOUND OF THE SHOUTING BECOMES CLEARER.
DAWOUD: NO NO NO NO NO!
DAVIS: What is it now?
DAWOUD: More people are pulling their money out. We need more people to invest.
SULLIVAN: Can’t we send our agents to spread the word?
DAVIS: They left us when the economy got rough; Those smart brats.
NARRATION: Dawoud brushed the sweat off his forehead and started to file and go through all his papers.
SULLIVAN: We got 500 more calls from different people asking for their money out.
DAWOUD: You're not helping right now!
NARRATION: Patrick Davis swallowed very slowly. The truth was he was not ready to go to jail, none of them were. There was only one thing he could do to avoid going for life.
DAVIS: I’m tired. Look, Matthew… I’m sure everything will be alright.
NARRATION: Without looking up Matthew told him to get more investors.
DAVIS: Ok, Goodnight.
SULLIVAN AND DAWOUD: Goodnight.
FOOTSTEPS AND THE CREAKING OF A DOOR. THE SOUND OF SHOUTING FADES.
NARRATION: Patrick was going to do it. He was going to end his friend's business once and for all.
THE SOUND OF DIALING A PHONE NUMBER FOLLOWED BY RINGING ALL SOUND THEN ABRUPTLY STOPS.
DAVIS: I’m calling to report a Ponzi Scheme.
Scene 2
THE SOUND OF CRICKETS PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND.
NARRATION: It is finally nighttime in Syria. Mahomet Dawoud and his family are lying low in their house. It has been a while since the bombing and they are starting to talk. Mahomet Dawoud sits with his family around a circular part of their home.
DAWOUD: Mom, we need to go to America. It's safer there.
DAWOUD’S MOM: We don't have the money to go to America, let alone anywhere else.
DAWOUD’S DAD: We only have enough money for one person. I think we should send someone.
DAWOUD’S MOM: But then how will we get there? Did you think about that?
DAWOUD’S SISTER: They can make money in America and then send it to us so we can go there too.
DAWOUD’S MOM: Then who will we send?
DAWOUD’S DAD: I am too old for the hustle and work in America and whoever stays needs their mother. We cannot send our daughter as she is too young to go, which leaves us with Mahomet who is strong and smart.
DAWOUD: I will go, father. I will go to America and make enough money to get you guys away from this war.
NARRATION: It was then that the decision was made: Mahomet would go to America to earn money and get his family out of Syria. Soon after the sirens rang again, and they went to the basement again hoping that Mahomet could save their family.
Scene 3
THE SOUND OF A BUSY STREET WITH PEOPLE SHOUTING.
NARRATION: It is Dawoud’s second summer in America. He is dirt poor from gambling and losing all his money. He has been working as a dishwasher for the past couple of months for barely any money. He’s getting worried that his family might not get out of Syria.
DAWOUD: I will double your money by the end of next week! If you are interested in doubling your money, come to my stand!
NARRATION: People just walk by him ignoring his calls from his table. He thinks to himself that he’ll never make enough money this way, so how could I keep doubling people's money?
MAN: Hello.
NARRATION: A man walks up to Dawoud’s stand and catches him by surprise. Dawoud sees this as his opportunity.
DAWOUD: Oh hello sir, would you like the chance to double your money?
MAN 1: Yes, how exactly will you do this?
DAWOUD: Umm. I will take the money I gather to sell a product here.
MAN 1: OK, but I don't see how that will double my money.
DAWOUD: Items in the Middle East cost less than here, so I buy from suppliers and I sell here for profit.
MAN 1: Sorry, I don't think I want to invest with you.
NARRATION: Dawoud would not give up; he would keep going and make that money. He kept yelling at people walking on the sidewalk. Finally, someone approached him.
MAN 2: Hello, how are you doing?
DAWOUD: Good.
MAN 2: Double the money, right?
NARRATION: Dawoud this time had a predetermined speech.
DAWOUD: I saw an opportunity in the market that could benefit my investors. Items cost less in the Middle East because the market is weaker so producers lower prices and exchange rates favor U.S. dollars. So I will take your money and buy products for less money and sell here for profit.
MAN 2: That all makes sense… you have a deal.
DAWOUD: Thank you.
NARRATION: The truth was Dawoud didn't know how he was going to make 40 dollars. He took the money and with a nickel bought a newspaper. As he read the headline it all came to him how he would make money. He would start a Ponzi scheme.
